Controversial marina still in the works: kxan.com

Lakeway City Council voted Monday night to approve a proposed development agreement for the Crosswater Yacht Club , a 249-slip private marina planned for the Graveyard Point area on Lake Travis.

"We just think this is the right way to go," said Mayor David DeOme with the City of Lakeway.

"We've negotiated a development agreement with the Developer. And the development agreement was put together to avoid a lawsuit," he said.

The council voted to approve the agreement, despite neighborhood concerns, because of an old permit that was issued back in 1987 to the first developers of the property.

Kemp Management, Inc. is the new owner of the 111-acre property, who want to develop the yacht-style marina. They want the city to honor the old permit.

"They felt it was still good, we felt that it wasn't and at the end of the day the lawyer said it would be better to negotiate something then go to court," Mayor DeOme said.

But, in order to go forward, the developers will have certain guidelines to follow.

"Bottom line is the City wanted to negotiate all the nuissances out of the marina," Mayor DeOme said. "Things like no public boat ramp, no restaurant, no music venue. The only thing we're going to have is a marina that stores boats and we think that's acceptable."

Different developers have attempted to put in a marina where Hurst Creek Road ends near the City of Lakeway since 1987. And residents in the area have fought the development ever since.

"This biggest issue of having a marina here is that the whole lifestyle changes," says resident Eileen Alter. "Traffic, noise, safety. Would you want to live next door to a marina?"

Some neighbors who live along Hurst Creek Road are mainly worried about the amount of traffic and noise that could come to the area.

But, according to the agreement, the boat ramp will be for private use only, there will be an enforcement on specific "quiet hours," specific secuirty requirements and specific guidelines on amplified music at the facility.

Developers could begin construction in January, with a possible completion by next summer.